The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye; the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Professor David Asamoah; Provost of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), KNUST, Professor Christian Agyare; and other stakeholders have launched the CHS Endowment Fund on Tuesday, 29th October 2024 at the Marriott Hotel, Accra.

 

 

 

 

As described by the Provost, Professor Christian Agyare, the newly launched Endowment Fund is a pivotal step toward attaining a sustainable and impactful future. He noted that the College since its inception has been committed to advancing human health by training highly skilled medical professionals, conducting impactful research, and serving communities. However, he said that in today’s dynamic world, maintaining this tradition of excellence requires more than dedication but demands sustainable resources to support world-class education and research, hence the Endowment Fund.

"This Endowment Fund is designed to ensure that our mission continues to thrive by providing scholarships for deserving students, supporting groundbreaking research, investing in infrastructure, and expanding community outreach," he stated.

Professor Agyare further stressed the need for collective effort in building a sustainable fund that will not only benefit KNUST but also contribute to the larger vision of building a healthier and more productive country. ‘Together, we can shape a future where health education and training are adequately resourced, health challenges are proactively addressed, and no potential goes unrealised due to financial limitations,’ he remarked.

 

 

The Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor David Asamoah, in his address called for collaboration from all stakeholders, including alumni, corporate partners, and development organisations to invest in the education of health professionals and research. "To our alumni, this is your opportunity to give back to the institution that shaped your careers," he urged.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor acknowledged government's commitment to improving education and healthcare, asserting that the launch of the CHS Endowment Fund aligns with national efforts to build a resilient healthcare system. "With continued collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector, we can create a healthcare system that serves as a model for the rest of the continent," he said.

Professor Asamoah expressed optimism for the future of the College of Health Sciences and KNUST to provide future generations with the resources they need to succeed. "Our goal is to grow this Fund into one of the most impactful endowments in Ghana, ensuring that the College remains a centre of excellence for decades to come," he affirmed.

 

 

In his keynote address, the Minister of Health for the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, representing the President of Ghana, recognised the CHS Endowment Fund as a transformative initiative that aligns with Ghana’s socio-economic aspirations. He emphasised that the nation’s goals are unattainable without a healthy population, highlighting KNUST’s role in training healthcare professionals as essential to maintaining Ghana’s health system. Dr. Okoe-Boye also underscored the College’s significant contributions to maternal and child health and its active role in combating infectious and non-communicable diseases.

The Minister of Health asserted that globally, endowment funds have empowered many leading institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Cambridge, Oxford, and others to drive excellence, describing the launch of the CHS Endowment Fund as both timely and visionary. He expressed optimism that the Fund would enable the College to address challenges posed by emerging diseases, climate change, and evolving healthcare needs.

The Minister revealed the President’s pledge of an amount of Two Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHȻ200,000.00) towards the Fund and announced his personal contribution of One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHȻ100,000.00). He added that further pledges would be sought from government officials, including the Minister of Education, the Presidential Adviser on Health, and the Chief of Staff, among others.

Hon. Dr. Okoe Boye encouraged the alumni of KNUST to consider the Fund as an opportunity to give back to the University that shaped their careers. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the CHS Endowment Fund, stating that, "Three generations from now, people will benefit from the Fund - strong, vibrant, advancing research, supporting education, and making the world a better place."

 

 

Solidarity messages were received from some Advisory Board Members who expressed their collective commitment to support the Fund and to promote healthcare education and research in Ghana.